Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Setter Versus Mastiff: Introduction
- English Setter versus Mastiff: Overview
- English Setter versus Mastiff: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Setter and the Mastiff
- The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Mastiff
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Mastiff
- Temperament of the English Setter Versus the Mastiff
- Price of English Setter versus Price of Mastiff
- Adopting the English Setter versus Adopting the Mastiff
- The Intelligence of the English Setter versus the Intelligence of the Mastiff
- The Popularity of English Setter versus Popularity of Mastiff
- Health Problems of English Setter versus Health Problems of Mastiff
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Mastiff
- Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Mastiff
- Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do English Setters shed more than Mastiffs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Mastiff?
- Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Mastiff?
- Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Mastiffs?
- Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Mastiffs?
- How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Mastiffs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Mastiff?
- Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mastiff?
- Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Mastiff
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mastiff
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Setter versus Mastiff. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Setter Versus Mastiff: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Setter and the Mastiff? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the English Setter and the Mastiff better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the English Setter and the Mastiff.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Setter and the Mastiff is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the English Setter and for the Mastiff. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the English Setter and the Mastiff.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the English Setter or the Mastiff
English Setter versus Mastiff: Overview
A very important difference between the English Setter and the Mastiff is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Setter is a medium-sized dog while the Mastiff is a giant-sized dog.
Furthermore, the English Setter belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
On the other hand, the Mastiff belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
English Setter versus Mastiff: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Setter to the Mastiff based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Factor | English Setter | Mastiff |
---|---|---|
Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 2/5 |
Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
Height | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the | 27 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder |
Life Span | 11 to 15 years | 6 to 10 years |
Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 1/5 |
Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 1/5 |
Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 3/5 |
General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Easy To Train | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Weight | 45 to 80 pounds | 130 to 220 pounds |
Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 2/5 |
Intelligence | 5/5 | 2/5 |
Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 4/5 |
Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 5/5 |
Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 8.0 years |
Average Price | $1020 | $1740 |
Price Range | $800 – $1200 | $1100 – $2200 |
Temperament Score | 81.3 percent | 100.0 percent |
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 95 | 28 |
Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 37 | 72 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the English Setter in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Mastiff. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for a English Setter is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Mastiff is 72 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the English Setter is a better pet than the Mastiff. So, you should get the English Setter!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the English Setter and the Mastiff so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Setter and the Mastiff
Below is a list of where the English Setter and the Mastiff are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Mastiff
The English Setter and the Mastiff are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Setter and the Mastiff are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Mastiff
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Setter and the Mastiff.
English Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. English Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.
On the other hand, Mastiffs weigh 130 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Mastiffs are 27 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the English Setter Versus the Mastiff
The Mastiff has a better temperament than the English Setter.
This is because the temperament score for the Mastiff is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the English Setter is 81.3 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 81.3 percent, the English Setter has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Mastiff has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the English Setter and the Mastiff by measuring the temperaments of 32 English Setters and 8 Mastiffs.
Price of English Setter versus Price of Mastiff
The average price of the English Setter puppy is $1020. The price of the English Setter typically ranges from $800 – $1200. However, the price of a English Setter can be as low as $450 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 English Setter puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Mastiff puppy is $1740. The price of the Mastiff typically ranges from $1100 – $2200. However, the price of a Mastiff can be as low as $200 and as high as $4600. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 248 Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Mastiff is more expensive than the English Setter.
English Setter | Mastiff | |
---|---|---|
Average Price | $1020 | $1740 |
Price Range | $800 to $1200 | $1100 to $2200 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Setter and Mastiff. For different price points, the charts show how many English Setter puppies or how many Mastiff puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of English Setters. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Mastiffs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the English Setter puppy or the Mastiff puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the English Setter versus Adopting the Mastiff
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many English Setters and many Mastiffs are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male English Setter named Cooper that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable English Setters like Cooper on pefinder.com.
Also, like English Setters, Mastiffs are also available for adoption. For example, Angelo is a Male Mastiff that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Mastiffs like Angelo that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Charley is the name of another English Setter (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more English Setters and Mastiffs that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the English Setter versus the Intelligence of the Mastiff
English Setter | Mastiff | |
---|---|---|
Intelligence Rank | 37 out of 130 dog breeds | 72 out of 130 dog breeds |
Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the English Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The English Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that English Setters tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Mastiff has an obedience intelligence rank of 72 out of 130 dog breeds. The Mastiff belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Mastiffs tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The English Setter is more intelligent than the Mastiff.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of English Setter versus Popularity of Mastiff
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the English Setter and the Mastiff over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Mastiff is more popular with dog owners than the English Setter. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Mastiff is 28 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the English Setter is 95 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of English Setter
Popularity of Mastiff
Year | English Setter Popularity Rank | Mastiff Popularity Rank |
---|---|---|
2013 | 91 | 26 |
2014 | 89 | 26 |
2015 | 96 | 25 |
2016 | 102 | 28 |
2017 | 95 | 28 |
2018 | 94 | 29 |
2019 | 98 | 32 |
2020 | 101 | 33 |
Health Problems of English Setter versus Health Problems of Mastiff
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the English Setter and the Mastiff are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Mastiff is prone to more genetic health problems than the English Setter.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Mastiff than for the English Setter.
4 health tests are recommended for English Setter while 7 tests are recommended for the Mastiff.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Setters and in Mastiffs.
English Setter Health Problems
English Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Setter puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a English Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Setter breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen English Setters for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Setters here.
Mastiff Health Problems
Mastiffs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Mastiff puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Mastiff puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Mastiff breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Mastiffs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Mastiffs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in English Setters and Mastiffs
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the English Setter Breed is Baer Hearing (Es) problems.
This is because the English Setter ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Baer Hearing (Es) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 4303 English Setters, 4 of them had Baer Hearing (Es) problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Setters, and how common these diseases are in English Setters relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Mastiff Breed is Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems.
This is because the Mastiff ranks 3 out of 6 dog breeds for Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 891 Mastiffs, 14 of them had Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Mastiffs, and how common these diseases are in Mastiffs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in English Setter and in Mastiff and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Setter and the Mastiff:
Disease | English Setter Rank | Mastiff Rank |
---|---|---|
Baer Hearing (Es) problems | 1 out of 1 dog breeds | Not Common |
Thyroid problems | 1 out of 115 dog breeds | 72 out of 115 dog breeds |
Baer Hearing Test problems | 4 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
Elbow problems | 28 out of 144 dog breeds | 26 out of 144 dog breeds |
Hips problems | 70 out of 198 dog breeds | 39 out of 198 dog breeds |
Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems | Not Common | 3 out of 6 dog breeds |
Cystinuria problems | Not Common | 3 out of 6 dog breeds |
Shoulder problems | Not Common | 9 out of 22 dog breeds |
Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | Not Common | 12 out of 32 dog breeds |
Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 39 out of 71 dog breeds |
Eyes problems | Not Common | 43 out of 182 dog breeds |
Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 49 out of 70 dog breeds |
Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 53 out of 159 dog breeds |
Patella problems | Not Common | 131 out of 145 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Is the English Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Mastiff?
English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Mastiff
English Setters do not like to be left alone.
Mastiffs can be left alone only for a short time.
Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Mastiff
English Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Setter or the Mastiff?
English Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Mastiffs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Do English Setters shed more than Mastiffs?
English Setters shed moderately.
Mastiffs shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Mastiff?
English Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.
Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Mastiff?
English Setters are fairly easy to train.
Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.
Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Mastiffs?
English Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Mastiffs?
English Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Mastiffs?
English Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Mastiff?
English Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.
Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mastiff?
English Setters have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Mastiffs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Mastiff
English Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Mastiffs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Setter that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the English Setter:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mastiff
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Mastiff that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Mastiff:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the English Setter and how the Mastiff compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Setter and of the Mastiff to other breeds:
English Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Setter versus Chi-Poo English Setter versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi English Setter versus Papillon English Setter versus Japanese Chin English Setter versus English Springer Spaniel English Setter versus Irish Water Spaniel English Setter versus Italian Greyhound English Setter versus German Pinscher English Setter versus Morkie English Setter versus Goldendoodle
Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds
Mastiff versus Field Spaniel Mastiff versus Peek A Poo Mastiff versus Carolina Dog Mastiff versus Braque du Bourbonnais Mastiff versus English Toy Spaniel Mastiff versus Toy Poodle Mastiff versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Mastiff versus Dutch Shepherd Mastiff versus Scottish Terrier Mastiff versus Sheepadoodle
Conclusion: English Setter versus Mastiff. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the English Setter and the Mastiff better suits you and your family.